BANKSY STRIKES AGAIN
His latest creation is a nod to climate change activists who are disappointed by the UN Climate Summit’s recent meeting- not enough action was taken to tackle global warming!
Photo: Instagram
Art
BANKSY EXHIBITION IS BRIGHTENING UP MUNICH
Okay, we admit to being a maniacally devoted Banksy fan, so we were delighted to hear about his “Unauthorized Exhibition” called The Mystery of Banksy- A Genius Mind, in Munich, Germany. Over a hundred culturally significant items are on display- graffiti, photos, sculptures, video installations, and prints. Some of the artist’s philosophy is also included, such as his mantra “Remember, it’s always easier to get forgiveness than permission.” Banksy, the King of Street Art, has become one of the most expensive artists of our time, so we imagine security there is at an all-time high. Celebrities love Banksy – Brad Pitt has invested millions in his art.
Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA
BANKSY ART SCRUBBED OFF OF LONDON SUBWAY TRAIN
Little did the people in charge of sanitizing the interior of London subways realize that they washed away some valuable and heartfelt Banksy art. The art piece was titled If You Don’t Mask, You Don’t Get, and by the time Banksy unveiled the art on his Instagram account, it had already been scrubbed off by cleaning crews. It was treated like any other subway graffiti, but it DID illustrate that the cleaners did a thorough job. The transport company invited Banksy to do a new version of his message “in a suitable location.” Of course, the whole thing could have been another Banksy prank, and he KNEW this would happen…
YOU CAN OWN A PAINTING BY SYLVESTER STALLONE
Sylvester Stallone launched a big promotion on Instagram to sell his art for father’s Day. He’s been painting and selling his autographed artwork for decades. Back in the early 90’s he invited us to visit him at his art studio. It was a warehousey-looking place with big canvases all around the room and buckets of paint on the floor. This was at the height of his popularity, and he was thrilled that so many people wanted to buy his paintings. It looked to us like he rather haphazardly slapped paint all over the canvases and he couldn’t believe that people paid “thousands of dollars” for them. (We couldn’t believe it either!) He’s still producing art – now it ranges from $50 for prints to $165,000 for a huge painting. Wonder if these would sell without his autograph…
MAD GUITARIST STEVE STEVENS IS MORE THAN A MUSICIAN
Clusters of rockers from the 80’s and beyond showed up at the Ken Paves salon last night for a pop-up art show by Billy Morrison and Steve Stevens. Both artists gained fame as musicians touring with Billy Idol, who was also there. Steve Stevens and his voluptuous wife Josie (you remember her from the reality show Married to Rock in 2010) dressed up for the occasion and yes, they sold some art.
Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA
MUSICIANS OR ARTISTS?
BANKSY STRIKES AGAIN!
We have to confess we have a soft spot for the UK artist Banksy and his whimsical social commentary. His stenciled public art appears out of nowhere to promote his views and is immediately worth a fortune. Last week the Extinction Rebellion group (Emma Thompson is a supporter) protested the government’s lack of involvement in climate change because they “seek to minimize the risk of ecological collapse.” (Needless to say, they are not fond of our fossil fuel loving president.) After the closing ceremony this artwork appeared on a nearby wall. Art experts say it’s genuine and worth over a million dollars. Local council members rushed to protect it with a clear cover because it already suffered some defacement – the red and blue writing and the yellow leaflet.
Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA
HARVEY WEINSTEIN WILL BE AT THE OSCARS
Just in time for the Oscars, the anonymous street artist Plastic Jesus has plunked down this statue of Harvey Weinstein not far from the Dolby theater where the Oscars are held. The London–born artist is referred to as “The Banksy of LA” for his politically and culturally provocative art. This Weinstein creation features Harvey in his signature seduction bathrobe, as he lounges on the casting couch, holding an Oscar on his lap. It should attract quite a lot of attention as a photo op.
Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA
MEET BERLIN’S ODD COUPLE: EVA & ADELE
If you went to Art Basel in Miami you might have run into this odd pair of performance artists who call themselves Eva and Adele. They claim to be hermaphrodite twins from the future who landed their time machine in Berlin in 1989. (No one seems to know their real names or ages.) Eva, the taller one, was born a man and had her birth certificate changed to female. They dress alike (and extravagantly) every day with similar makeup and shaved heads. It’s not easy maintaining their image – it takes them 3 hours to get ready every day and they are never seen unless dressed to the nines. They try to attend as many art events as possible and sell their own creations.
Photo Credit: AKM-GSI
DISMALAND: A “BEMUSEMENT PARK” FOR ADULTS
Banksy has outdone even his own amazing self with this apocalyptic theme park called “Dismaland” in the UK. He took an abandoned amusement park and started a rumor that a movie was being made there while he spent weeks converting the place under total secrecy. The pop-up art exhibition features a demented assortment of artwork by artists from around the world. Besides art, the place features a dingy castle, terrifying rides, games, and plenty of anti-corporate messages. Dismaland will only be open for five weeks ending September 27, so hurry up! Leave the kids at home.
Photos from Dismaland brochure
COURTNEY STODDEN IS AN ARTIST’S DREAM
In case you were wondering, teen bride Courtney Stodden IS back with her mature husband, actor Doug Hutchison. She took a break from their marriage and tried being single for awhile, but decided she didn’t like it. Pin-up queen Courtney is a favorite subject for zany Hollywood pop culture artist Sham Ibrahim. (Despite his flamboyant appearance, Sham happens to be a really sweet guy with a sense of humor.) Courtney and Doug admired his latest work at Sham’s gallery opening on Hollywood Blvd. We have one of Sham’s paintings hanging in our hallway.
Check out Sham’s art at http://www.shampop.com/
Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News